Capelin (Masago, Smelt Roe) – Iceland

Capelin are saltwater fish that live in cold water. Capelin’s range extends to the waters around the North Pole, called a circumpolar distribution.

The Capelin fishery is one of the largest in the world. Capelin grow fast, reproducing at 3-4 years of age, then they die. Most Capelin in Iceland are caught using purse seines which cause little habitat damage and produce limited bycatch.

Capelin is an important source of food for many seabirds, marine mammals and commercially important fish species.